Seafood and footwear businesses claim to be delayed in issuing C/O. Photo: baodautu.vn

The Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso) and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) have urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to address the delays in issuing certificates of origin (C/O), which are directly affecting the progress of documentation, delivery, and export activities of members of these two associations.

According to VASEP, since responsibility for issuing C/Os was transferred from the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the departments of industry and trade in localities on August 1, there have been delays in processing applications in several areas due to a sharp increase in the number of applications, while the process, personnel, and system have not kept pace.

“In addition, businesses have to re-register or update their trader profiles when transferring to a new C/O issuing authority. The problem is that during the time waiting for the profiles to be approved, which often takes up to 10 days, businesses cannot submit or complete the application for the certificate for export shipments. Meanwhile, businesses’seafood export activities are ongoing, with many orders having short delivery times and deadlines for submitting documents,” VASEP noted in a document submitted to the MoIT on August 14.

Meanwhile, Lefaso’s members have also encountered similar obstacles, impacting export activities to main markets such as the US, South Africa, Chile, and Asian regions China and the Philippines.

“According to feedback from Lefaso member businesses, the delay in issuing C/O is causing exporting businesses to face the risk of increased costs. In markets requiring C/O for customs clearance, delays cause shipments to be held at ports, incurring storage and warehousing costs and the risk of penalties for delays,” Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice president and general secretary of the Lefaso, said at the meeting on August 17.

“Lefaso believes that the risks associated with C/O Form B in the US market are serious. Although it is a non-preferential certificate, it is a crucial legal basis for determining product origin. Without C/O Form B when importing into the US, Vietnamese goods risk being suspected of or subject to tariffs as if they originated from China. In that case, businesses may face high trade defence taxes such as anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or other additional taxes, directly threatening the stability of export turnover to the US.”

Vasep and Lefaso warn that delays in issuing this certificate can prevent businesses from completing the necessary documents in time for customers to complete import procedures and benefit from preferential tariffs under free trade agreements; it also incurs warehousing and storage costs, delays in payment, and the risk of penalties for late document delivery.

In addition, the two associations say that delays in delivery and document completion also affect brand reputation and orders by disrupting the distribution plans of international brands. This reduces the credibility of the Vietnamese manufacturing industry, causing partners to consider shifting orders to other countries.

“Lefaso proposes allowing an automatic transition mechanism, inheriting the data of registered traders on the electronic origin certification management system to the provincial Departments of Industry and Trade, avoiding the need for businesses to start over,” said Xuan

“During the transition period, the association proposes the application of a “temporary trader profile” mechanism or permit to submit a trader profile at the same time as the application for C/O so that businesses can submit applications for C/O concurrently with the assessment process. Lefaso also proposes to supplement personnel, training, and provide technical support to Departments of Industry and Trade in localities that have many factories, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai.”

Immediately after receiving feedback from businesses regarding delays in issuing C/O, the Import-Export Department under the MoIT, on August 17, held a meeting with the Department of Customs, the E-commerce and Digital Economy Department, the Departments of Industry and Trade of 34 cities and provinces, regional Import-Export Management Offices, to discuss and resolve difficulties arising in the process of receiving, processing, and issuing C/O at the local level.

The meeting took place amid a rapid increase in the number of applications submitted to local C/O-issuing agencies after Circular No.26/2026/TT-BCT came into effect on August 1, regarding regulations on the authority to issue C/O.

According to the report of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in the first week of implementation, some applications did not meet the required components as stipulated in Decree No.31/2018/ND-CP. In some cases, the list of goods lacked signatures and seals, and supporting documents such as invoices and copies of the farmer’s citizen identification cards were missing. Some businesses also mistakenly selected the wrong C/O issuing agency due to a recent change in receiving units, resulting in applications being repeatedly circulated or returned.

“The department stated that it will continue to coordinate with the E-commerce and Digital Economy Department to review issues related to both operational and technical aspects,” Hai said.

Nguyen Anh Son, director of the Agency of Foreign Trade, said, “The department will continue to coordinate with the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy to review emerging issues. It needs to focus on resolving outstanding issues related to pending applications at several agencies, especially at the departments of Industry and Trade in Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.”

“The department directed the organisation of additional training courses in the southern region this month. It also plans to organise a working group to visit localities to exchange information, provide guidance, and address requests regarding administrative procedures related to the origin of goods,” he said.

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On August 24, the Central Policy and Strategy Commission and the National Cybersecurity Association, as professional co-sponsors, in coordination with Synology Vietnam and IEC Consulting, held a conference in Hanoi titled “Digital Transformation in the Public Sector: Building Sustainable Infrastructure and Ensuring Data Security Towards National Growth Targets.”

The conference took place as the public sector undergoes a “dual” transformation: restructuring the organisational apparatus while simultaneously redesigning operating models on digital platforms. The two-tier local government model is placing greater demands on data-driven governance, particularly at the commune level, where most public services are delivered directly to citizens.

Nguyen Hong Hien, director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Policy and Strategy Commission, said science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation have been identified as key drivers of the new growth model. The public sector therefore cannot remain outside this process.

“In particular, the operation of the two-tier local government model since July 2025 has created significant requirements for restructuring data and digital systems. As the organisational structure and administrative boundaries change, data must also be standardised, cleansed, updated, and connected under the new model, while ensuring continuity, consistency, and uninterrupted public services,” said Hien.

“The target by 2030 is to fully digitise records and results of administrative procedures, uniformly use shared digital platforms, and standardise and connect databases so they are ready for AI applications. However, in practice, data remains fragmented, quality is uneven, and interoperability between systems remains limited.”

Nguyen Hong Hien, director of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Policy and Strategy Commission. Photo: IEC Consulting

Jola Le, country manager of Synology, said data protection should be viewed as an ecosystem encompassing data storage, management, backup, recovery, access control, and security monitoring.

One of the solutions introduced at the conference was air-gapping, which enables backup systems to be isolated from the network when they are not required or when abnormal activity is detected, providing an additional layer of protection against the risk of data being encrypted or destroyed.

“Public-sector digital transformation therefore faces a dual requirement: systems must be sufficiently open to connect, share, and utilise data, while also being sufficiently secure to control, protect, and recover data when incidents occur,” said Le.

“In the process of building digital government and data-driven governance, security cannot be an additional layer added at the end. It must be embedded from the design stage of infrastructure, system architecture, and data organisation. This is also a critical condition for sustainable public-sector digital transformation, ensuring the continuity of government operations and essential services for citizens and businesses.”

Photo: IEC Consulting

Notably, Pham Trung Thanh, an expert at the National Cybersecurity Association, warned that the transition from physical infrastructure to cloud environments is forcing many agencies to operate legacy and new systems simultaneously, creating complex architectures while dedicated information security personnel remain limited.

“The risk does not only arise when a system is attacked,” said Thanh. “Hackers can remain hidden inside a system for months, seeking to escalate their privileges before launching an attack. By then, data may have been stolen or encrypted, while systems providing services to citizens could face disruption.This also shows that simply backing up data is no longer sufficient. If backup systems remain connected to the network, attackers may attempt to destroy or encrypt the backup data as well.”

Vu Duy Hien, deputy secretary general cum chief of office under the National Cybersecurity Association, said that as data becomes a strategic asset and resource, the requirement is not only to manage and utilise it, but more importantly, to ensure its protection.

“Cybersecurity must be built in from the outset when infrastructure is developed, data is organised, and digital systems are designed,” said Hien. “Alongside prevention capabilities, agencies and organisations need to proactively build detection, response, and recovery capabilities so that essential operations can continue and quickly return to normal when incidents occur. This is a critical aspect of today’s approach to data security. Protecting data is not only about preventing an attack; it must also account for scenarios in which a system has already been compromised, data has been encrypted, or services have been disrupted.”

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Wink Unscripted by Hyatt’s 24/7 operational model is a long-term investment strategy built on guest autonomy. At its core is STAY24, a unique offer ensuring a full 24-hour stay from check-in, seamlessly complemented by round-the-clock amenities including the Grab & Go bar, gym, and laundromat.

The philosophy is why the brand chose July 24 as its signature day. 24/7 Day is an affirmation of the operational philosophy Wink has pursued since inception: designing experiences around the real-world needs of guests rather than forcing them to adapt to rigid hospitality standards.

Establishing 24/7 Day reinforces Wink Unscripted by Hyatt’s guest-centric orientation. Photo courtesy of Wink

Replacing the rigid check-in and check-out windows traditional hotels have relied on for decades, STAY24 offers guests total flexibility to manage their schedules on their own terms. This is particularly transformative for late-night flight arrivals, business travellers with shifting itineraries, or anyone looking to maximise every hour of their trip.

STAY24 is a complete operational framework re-engineered for flexibility and digital integration. This is the key element that sets the brand apart from traditional hotel operations. Automated self check-in kiosks allow guests to complete arrival procedures within seconds at any hour of the day or night, eliminating queues and maximising autonomy.

Complemented by a fully integrated, round-the-clock self-service ecosystem, including an automated Laundromat, collaborative workspaces, a 24/7 gym, and the Grab & Go convenience store, guests are seamlessly accommodated whether it is early morning or midnight.

The Grab & Go concept caters to food, drink, and retail needs at any time of day or night. Photo courtesy of Wink

Behind these seamless guest touchpoints lies extensive investment in technology, optimised operational workflows, and real-time interdepartmental coordination. This robust infrastructure allows Wink to execute STAY24 across its entire property network while maintaining consistent room turnover efficiency and service quality.

The rapid growth of international tourism, flexible remote work trends, and increasingly non-traditional travel schedules are fundamentally reshaping guest expectations. Modern travellers are no longer just looking for a place to crash overnight; they expect spaces that adapt dynamically to their lifestyle.

Rather than asking guests to adjust their plans to suit hotel rules, Wink shifted the burden of adaptation onto its operational model. In doing so, the brand elevates the stay experience while building a distinct, long-term competitive edge.

Open-plan collaborative workspaces designed for global business travellers, digital nomads, and modern guests operating on flexible schedules. Photo courtesy of Wink

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By shifting the burden of adaptation from the guest to the hotel’s underlying operations, Wink Unscripted by Hyatt reinforces its innovative positioning within Hyatt’s global portfolio. Simultaneously, it sets a fresh benchmark for Vietnam’s hospitality landscape where technology, intelligent operations, and guest-centric design define market leadership.

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The Department of Taxation held a working session with a delegation of International Monetary Fund (IMF) experts on August 17 to exchange experience, assess the current state of tax administration and explore ways to reform the tax administration model for large enterprises, with a focus on strengthening compliance risk management and aligning with international practices.

Le Long, deputy director general of the Department of Taxation. Photo: Phuong Thao

Speaking at the meeting, deputy director general of the Department of Taxation Le Long said the IMF’s recommendations on assessing tax administration performance, managing compliance risks and modernising taxpayer administration were valuable both technically and practically for Vietnam’s tax authorities.

The Department of Taxation is studying and incorporating a number of these recommendations into ongoing efforts to improve the legal framework, restructure its organisational system, reform business processes and modernise tax administration methods, he said.

Vietnam’s tax sector is entering a period of far-reaching reform, with significant changes to the legal and administrative framework. The Law on Tax Administration, No.108/2025/QH15, and its implementing regulations took effect on July 1, 2026, providing a new legal framework for tax administration.

“Alongside the transition to a new organisational structure, the tax sector is accelerating digital transformation, making greater use of electronic invoice data and interconnected databases, strengthening risk analysis and compliance management, and expanding digital tax services,” he said.

“These changes create opportunities to improve the efficiency of tax administration while placing greater demands on governance capacity, data quality, business processes, technology and the skills of tax officials,” he added.

Regarding tax administration for large enterprises, Long said its Large Enterprise Tax Branch currently directly manages 393 enterprises, including major corporations, state-owned groups, large foreign-invested companies and businesses operating in specialised sectors. Tax revenue from this group accounts for approximately 25 per cent of total domestic tax revenue.

Large taxpayers typically have significant scale and broad operations, complex ownership and organisational structures, and extensive related-party and cross-border transactions. They also engage in specialised financial activities and new forms of business arising from the digital economy.

“Compliance risks for these enterprises extend beyond registration, tax filing and payment. They increasingly involve the determination of tax liabilities, related-party transactions and transfer pricing, the allocation of costs and capital, the valuation and use of intangible assets, income from specialised business activities, the application of tax treaties and the treatment of emerging business models,” Long said.

As a result, tax administration for large enterprises cannot rely solely on individual inspections or risk mitigation after problems have emerged. Tax authorities need to identify risks at an earlier stage, allocate resources strategically, tailor management measures to taxpayers’ levels of compliance and provide stronger support to help businesses meet their tax obligations, he added.

The Department of Taxation outlined five key expectations for the cooperation programme. These include an independent and objective assessment of the functions, responsibilities, organisational structure, staffing and core business processes of the Large Enterprise Tax Branch; an assessment of its current maturity in applying compliance risk management and the gaps compared with international practices; recommendations on tools that can be implemented immediately; a feasible future operating model with performance indicators; and an action plan for reform that can serve as the basis for translating the recommendations into specific tasks.

Patrick De Mets, an IMF expert. Photo: Phuong Thao

Speaking at the session, Patrick De Mets, an IMF expert, welcomed the Department of Taxation’s proactive approach to reforming tax administration, particularly its shift from traditional administration towards a model based on taxpayers’ risks and levels of compliance.

As business activities become increasingly complex, developing a specialised administration model for large enterprises is essential, Mets said. Such a model would enable tax authorities to focus resources on high-risk sectors, businesses and transactions while improving support for taxpayers with strong compliance records.

“Managing large enterprises requires a different approach. Tax authorities need to understand taxpayers’ business activities, identify risks at an early stage and develop appropriate strategies to improve compliance across different taxpayer groups. International practices should be adapted to Vietnam’s circumstances, with feasibility and administrative effectiveness as key priorities,” Mets said.

The working programme between the Department of Taxation and the IMF delegation provided a stronger practical basis for further reforming the administration of large enterprises, improving compliance risk management, making more effective use of resources and gradually aligning Vietnam’s tax administration with international best practices.

The cooperation is also expected to support the tax sector’s broader efforts to modernise its administration system in line with the requirements of the new reform phase.

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Le Hoang Tai, deputy director general of Vietrade. Photo: Trong Nghia

Speaking at the opening, Le Hoang Tai, deputy director general of Vietrade, said the United States is one of Vietnam’s most important export markets, with a large consumer base, strong purchasing power, diverse distribution networks and broad demand.

The market is highly competitive and imposes strict requirements on product quality, traceability, labelling, environmental standards, labour practices and intellectual property protection.

Vietnamese companies need to increase the value added of their products, diversify their offerings and expand imports of machinery, technology, materials, products and services from the US, Tai said. “Compliance must be considered a core element of competitiveness,” he said.

Do Ngoc Hung, trade counsellor and head of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said two-way trade reached approximately $132.4 billion in the first six months of 2026, making Vietnam the US’ fifth-largest trading partner and its largest source of trade surplus.

However, trade remains heavily concentrated in the foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). During the first seven months of 2026, FIEs accounted for more than 80 per cent of Vietnam’s total exports and recorded a trade surplus of nearly $8 billion.

Domestic businesses accounted for about 19.9 per cent of exports and posted a trade deficit of approximately $28.5 billion.

The figures highlight the need to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic companies, increase localisation and value added, and improve their ability to participate in supply chains, Hung said. These measures are also important in addressing risks related to transhipment and origin fraud.

The US has more than 330 million consumers, with personal consumption expenditure estimated at $12.1 trillion, equivalent to roughly 68 per cent of GDP. The country is expected to import about $3.4 trillion worth of goods in 2026.

Significant differences among US states mean Vietnamese companies need to identify specific consumer segments and market niches before entering the market, Hung said.

Photo: Nguyen Huong

According to Hung, opportunities in the US market can translate into sustainable advantages only when businesses can manage regulatory and operational risks.

Vietnamese companies need to closely monitor US trade regulations, including Most-Favoured-Nation treatment, measures under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, Section 232 and the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act.

From July 24, the additional 10 per cent tariff under Section 301 related to forced-labour concerns was removed and replaced by a 12.5 per cent tariff on Vietnamese goods, except for products covered by exemption lists, he said.

For imported inputs, businesses need to maintain documentation and data demonstrating substantive manufacturing processes in Vietnam and comply with product-specific rules of origin.

The Vietnam Trade Office in the US recommended that companies professionalise their English-language documentation, clearly specifying HS codes, certificates, sources of materials, factories, production capacity, minimum order quantities, delivery times and quality-control procedures.

Dinh Dieu Linh, a representative of STSB CPA tax advisory firm, highlighted several challenges facing Vietnamese exporters, including 60-120-day collection cycles, banking and SWIFT costs, USD/VND exchange rate fluctuations, limited US credit histories, state-level sales taxes and differences between Vietnam’s Accounting Standards (VAS) and US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

Incorrect or incomplete filing of Form W-8BEN-E could result in US partners withholding 30 per cent of gross payments for remittance to the US Internal Revenue Service, she said.

Companies also face a starting penalty of $25,000 for each late or incomplete Form 5472 filing, with an additional $25,000 imposed every 90 days if the issue is not resolved.

“US tax and accounting should not be treated as year-end administrative procedures. They are part of a company’s risk-management strategy,” Linh said.

She recommended measures including export factoring and purchase-order financing, which can provide advances equivalent to 80-90 per cent of invoice value, as well as foreign-exchange hedging, payment optimisation and appropriate legal-entity and transfer-pricing structures.

Tran Lich, director of VISIA. Photo: Trong Nghia

Tran Lich, director of VISIA and general coordinator of Ready2US – Ready for the US Market, said approximately 85 per cent of surveyed businesses are not yet fully prepared to enter the US market.

The five key challenges identified by the survey were understanding the US market and consumers, cited by 77.3 per cent of respondents; a lack of marketing strategies and sales channels, 76 per cent; legal and compliance requirements, 58.7 per cent; working capital and cash-flow management, 56 per cent; and developing appropriate branding, design and research and development (R&D), 53.3 per cent.

“A good product alone is not enough to enter the US market,” Lich said.

Businesses need a comprehensive roadmap covering market research, legal compliance, go-to-market strategy, R&D, financing, logistics and sales channels.

Early preparation for requirements from agencies such as the US Food and Drug Administration, Consumer Product Safety Commission and US Department of Agriculture, along with intellectual property protection, can shorten negotiations by three to 12 months and help protect cash flow, he said.

VISIA and Ready2US have developed a 2026 US Market Readiness Checklist to help businesses assess their preparedness before making investments.

Experts at the seminar agreed that Vietnamese companies need to move beyond the mindset of simply having products available for export and focus on building sustainable competitive capabilities.

Long-term success in the US market requires companies to conduct proactive market research, manage finances, demonstrate product origin, control supply chains and comply with US regulations.

The seminar’s policy discussions and business-to-business connections highlighted the importance of greater preparedness, transparency and professionalism as Vietnamese companies seek to expand exports and strengthen their position in the US market.

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